Updated
Overview
Russia has 14 times the population of Sweden: 143.51 million people against 10.60 million (2025).
Russia's economy is 3.8 times the size of Sweden's, at $2.56T versus $669.00B.
Per person, Sweden is the wealthier of the two: $63,133 against $17,547 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Russia | Sweden | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $2.56T | $669.00B | 2025 | $2.17T / $610.12B |
| GDP per capita | $17,547 | Higher: $63,133 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.0% | Higher: 1.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 8.7% | Lower: 0.7% | 2025 | 6.7% / 2.8% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.1% | 8.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 32 | 87 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $777 | Higher: $4,783 | 2021 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $208 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $1.74 | $7.16 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 143.51 million | 10.60 million | 2025 | 140.13 million / 10.64 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | 0.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.3 yrs | 40.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.46 | 1.44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 73.4 yrs | Higher: 84.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 75% | 89% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 94% | Higher: 96% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 17,098,242 km² | 450,295 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 8.4/km² | 23.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 1,781 Mt | Lower: 38 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 12.3 t | Lower: 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $148.97B | $12.04B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 7.1% | 2.0% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 1.5 million | 15,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
Sweden is growing faster: 1.5% annual GDP growth versus 1.0%.
Russia runs the hotter price environment: 8.7% inflation versus 0.7%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Russia: a price level of 32 versus 87 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Sweden: $4,783 against $777 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 40.3 (Russia) and 40.3 (Sweden).
Life expectancy is 10.6 years longer in Sweden (84.1 vs 73.4).
Sweden is considerably more urbanized: 89% of people live in cities, against 75%.
Geography
By land area, Russia is 38 times the size of Sweden: 17,098,242 km² versus 450,295 km².
Sweden is far more densely settled: 24 people per km² against 8.
Military
Russia spends 12 times as much on defence as Sweden: $148.97B versus $12.04B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Russia carries the heavier military burden: 7.1% of GDP versus 2.0%.
Russia fields the larger armed forces: 1.5 million personnel against 15,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Russia bigger than Sweden?
- Russia is larger by land area. Russia covers 17,098,242 km² while Sweden covers 450,295 km², so Russia is 38 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Russia or Sweden?
- Russia has the larger population: 143.51 million versus 10.60 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Russia richer than Sweden?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Sweden is richer: $63,133 against $17,547. Total GDP tells a different story: $2.56T for Russia versus $669.00B for Sweden.
- Who spends more on their military, Russia or Sweden?
- Russia spends more: $148.97B versus $12.04B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).